The Lass Who Lost a Shoe by Lee, Caroline (mobi reader android TXT) 📕

Everyone knows forced proximity works the best in cases like this, because of narrative causality.”

All five godmothers nodded. “Narrative causality.”

“Excellent.” Grinning tightly, Evangeline leaned forward. “Grisel, start the tea—no chanting this time, thank you—and let us discuss our next case of…the Lass Who Kissed a Frog.”

AUTHOR’S NOTE

AUTHOR’S NOTE

On Historical Accuracy

This is a humorous fairy tale retelling.

I didn’t set out to write a historically accurate story, but those of you who’ve read my Hots for Scots books probably weren’t expecting one. The Highlander Ever After series is set in the same area and around the same clan as that series, but while the Hots for Scots is laugh-out-loud funny and wickedly sexy, this one is a little tamer, and a little more modern.

The point is: the Oliphants aren’t historically accurate. Oliphant Castle is a figment of my imagination, as are Newfincy Castle and the titles the characters bear…although any romance reader likely isn’t surprised by that.

Oliphant Engraving is, of course, as accurate as I can make it. The Prince Armory was introduced in my Everland Ever After series of reimagined fairy tales set in the old west. Andrew Prince (The Prince’s Pea and The Godmother) not only founded a successful custom firearms industry, but he also maintained business interests in the Highlands of Scotland, which allowed me to connect Duncan Oliphant’s legacy (Scot on Her Trail) with my sweeter fairy tales.

For those who have been reading my fairy tales since the beginning, I know you’ve been waiting for Max’s story. He appears throughout the Everland Ever After books as a good-natured best friend and confidante, but many have noticed a hint that his past hasn’t always been sunny. I hope, having finally read his history, you feel I’ve done it justice.

Max’s past wasn’t unique, and there were many people in America in the 1880s, who not only looked like him, but had a similar story of their birth. But that story wasn’t nearly as common in Britain by then, so Ember’s shock was understandable.

Although Scotland’s history with abolition is a little different (arguably more progressive) than England’s, it wasn’t until 1807 that the slave trade in the British Empire became illegal. Much of the wealth in Britain at that time was thanks to plantations in the East Indies and around the globe…and much of that was built by slave labor. While there were most definitely enslaved people on British soil, the majority were held abroad.

In 1833, Parliament abolished slavery completely. This was a long time coming, from the abolitionist and progressive point of view, but still three decades earlier than the United States.

Because of these factors, it’s understandable Ember wouldn’t have had many interactions with a person who’d been born a slave.

In her reactions, I tried to show not just empathy and understanding, but that Max’s status at birth truly didn’t matter to her. It’s not that she glossed over his experiences and pain, or that she loved him “despite” those parts of his past; Ember loves him because of those experiences, and for all the rest which make him Max.

Anyhow, that’s enough seriousness—back to fairy tale life!

If you loved the Guild of Godmothers (and want to know more about The Book), feel free to check out my Everland Ever After series…the first book of which (Little Red) is free! While Max appears in most of the books, the eleventh book in that series, The Godmother, not only features a heroine who is a member of the Guild of Godmothers, but it also sets up Max’s story and how he came to be in the Highlands. I hope you enjoy!

Now, I’m sure you’re curious about how Vanessa is going to get her comeuppance…or if Roland’s plan will even work, so if you’re ready for more silly Godmother shenanigans and fairy tale retellings, keep reading for an excerpt from The Lass Who Kissed a Frog!

But first, I want to offer you a personal invitation to join my reader group – Caroline’s Cohort. If you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll consider becoming a part of my group. It’s where I post all the best book news first, and you’ll be able to get to know me personally. My Cohort group is also instrumental in helping me name characters and choose covers, so stop on by!

SNEAK PEEK

Vanessa doesn’t come off sounding too likable in Ember’s story, does she? But she has a good reason for being the way she is, and she’s content with herself…until she realizes she’s hurt Roland. Ready for a sneak peek from The Lass Who Kissed a Frog?

* * *

“Why are ye so nervous?” whispered her sister as she tucked her notebook into a hidden pocket and stepped up beside her. “Dinnae deny it, I ken ye better than Mother does, remember.”

“I’m no—” Realizing she was about to deny it, Vanessa’s smile slipped for a moment. “I just dinnae want to do anything to ruin my chances with Roland.” The reminder of the masquerade ball earlier in the season, and how the two of them had not only danced beautifully together, but snuck away for some quiet conversation, made her sigh happily. “He’s perfect, Bonnie,” she whispered as the butler opened the door ahead, “and I think I might love him.”

“You love the idea of him,” her sister corrected.

As if that mattered? Vanessa sighed again. “Aye, I believe I do.” The idea of Roland and Roland. “I want him to love me too.”

Apparently, their mother was listening, because as the butler led them through the echoing foyer of Newfincy Castle, she turned just long enough to hiss over her shoulder, “Of course he’ll love ye, ye’re beautiful! He came to tea, did he no’?”

Luckily, she’d turned back, that fake smile plastered on her face, and Vanessa didn’t have to answer. Instead, she exchanged glances with Bonnie, and knew her sister was thinking the same thing.

Roland had come for tea, only a week after they’d danced at the ball, and had brought Max DeVille—who was now married